Senior Tax Exemption Protocol Discussed in Davenport

Water Grounding Rods, Donations, Goodbyes

DAVENPORT - Davenport town assessors asked the town council to add language to the senior tax exemption form to streamline the application process.

If a town or school district adopts a senior tax exemption, qualifying individuals can receive up to a 50% reduction of their taxable income.

According to the assessors, the state is requiring towns to pass a resolution to request IRA (Individual Retirement Arrangement) or social security income be included on the application to receive the tax exemption. Assessors say it is already their protocol to request the income be figured in on the application, however, it is not stated on the form. Assessors expect the adjustment to affect roughly three individuals. 

Council members decided to table the issue until an official resolution could be drafted by the town attorney.

In another discussion, it was reported that the request for grounding rod installation for seven homes in the water district will be completed in the future. An electrician has been secured to complete the work. It is estimated to cost roughly $500 per home, which will be paid for by the water district. The council is just waiting on a response from Certified Water System Operator Paul Moller. 

In another report, a $25,000 donation was received from the Lomangino family in honor of their late father Leo Lomangino. The letter reads, "Our father, Leo Lomangino, loved Davenport and was always trying to help the town in any way possible. Being an owner of a recycling company he knew the need for reliable trucks and wanted the town to have them."

The funds must be used for an equipment purchase for the highway department. Council members placed the funds in an interest-bearing account until a purchase is determined. 

Highway Superintendent Fred Utter said one possibility is to continue to collect interest on the funds until they grow to the point where a truck can be purchased.

According to Supervisor Patricia Valente, the Lomangino family has been trying to donate these funds for over two years. Due to confusion on not-for-profit paperwork receipt for the donation was delayed. When she presented the donation, Valente put on a Santa hat and said Merry Christmas to the town.

Valente celebrated her last session as supervisor following the meeting. "I'd like to thank all of you for working with me for what has been an overwhelming and challenging time in my life," she said. Valente graciously took over as town supervisor after the passing of her husband and long-time supervisor Denis Valente. She left the council with some words of encouragement, "keep the chains running on time as Denis would say, and as I would say where there's a will there's a way."

In other business:

The contract for health insurance was renewed with an 11.5% increase which is roughly a $5.55 increase per pay period for employees.

The Deputy Highway Superintendent's allocation was increased by $1,300 for a total of $2,500. Funds were taken from the additional flagman budget line, which Utter said is never used.

Clerk Linda Adam was re-appointed as registrar of vital statistics for an annual payment of $200.

Timothy Kelso, who will be sworn in as supervisor in 2024, was appointed as authorized signatory for bank checks and payroll.

There were 25 holiday food pick-ups at the food bank this year and 85 for Thanksgiving.

Tax collection will take place on Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon at the town hall. 

The organizational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m.